Two cruise ships carrying more than 5,600 visitors made a stop over in Bahrain on January 3, marking the start of the kingdom's cruise season.

Italian ship MSC Splendida and German cruise line Aida docked at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port yesterday morning.

A tour around the kingdom was organized, offering more than 4,000 visitors the chance to visit some of Bahrain’s tourist attractions and learn about its civilization, historical sites and old markets.

“We are happy to welcome the first two cruise ships for 2018 and are committed to providing all the facilities necessary to ensure their safe arrival into the kingdom. We look forward to receiving more cruise ships over the next few months. This comes as part of the BTEA’s focus to revitalize the tourism sector which will further contribute towards the national economy,” said Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, chief executive officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

“During the current cruise season which runs between November and May, Bahrain is expected to receive 33 cruise vessel calls and almost 80,000 visitors from prestigious cruise lines including the world-renowned Crystal Cruises,” he added.

Hosting the cruise ships comes as part of the BTEA’s long term strategy to further develop the kingdom’s tourism sector under the slogan of ‘Ours.Yours.’, which contributes towards the kingdom’s economy and the 2030 Economic Vision. - TradeArabia News Service